Tuesday, December 20, 2005

FLUGTAG! Those magnificent men in their falling machines

The first Flugtag took place in Austria in 1991. Since then, the dream of flying hand-made machines into unsuspecting bodies of water has spread like wildfire. From Ireland to San Francisco, inspired pilots construct their own craft, the more outrageous, the better. The distances covered are not always impressive, but the artistry and the pre-launch showmanship are terrific

3 comments:

We have a similar event every year in a small seaside town called Bognor Regis in the UK, the 'Bognor Birdman'.

Official site: http://www.birdman.org.uk/

I've attended a couple of times, and it's always a good laugh; as you say, more about the showmanship than the flights, although some folk take it pretty seriously (usually glider enthusiasts etc).

Liking your blog (reffered here by BoingBoing); always had an interest in the crazy end of science that you never got to see in the classroom! It's now in the bookmarks list. Good luck with the book...I may invest next time I get paid!

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Named to Wired Magazine’s Smart List, William Gurstelle is a bestselling author, registered engineer, and professional speaker. The author of Backyard Ballistics, Absinthe and Flamethrowers, and seven other books, he is recognized for his particular talent for making science and technology accessible, intriguing, and – most of all – fun to all readers and audiences. Having sold more nearly half a million books, he is one of the world’s most widely read authors on science and technology.
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